Freedom Road Travel DMC - Free'n'Easy 2016 (AUD Pricing) by Freedom Road Travel

CHINA

FREE'N'EASY

2016-2017

KEY DESTINATIONS

BEIJING XI'AN SHANGHAI GUILIN & YANGSHUO CHENGDU LIJIANG QUICK GETAWAYS AND SPECIAL EXPERIENCES INSIDE!

Your Road, Your Way The unique mix of an international and local team empowers Freedom Road Travel to deliver world-class service with local knowledge and experience in multiple languages, ensuring our customers always gain the best knowledge and experiences during their time with us. We take pride in providing more than just tours. We tailor journeys for travellers from around the world that are exciting and immersive travel experiences. Freedom Road Travel was founded in 2014 as a Shanghai based travel company focused on showing the best and most unique parts of China and Asia to the world. We provide our customers with enjoyable and authentic experiences in amazing destinations, and personal levels of service to guarantee that you have your own Freedom Road.

Our goal is to "Make the world a better place by enabling wonderful experiences".

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Ulanbataar

Beijing Seoul

Tokyo

Xi'an Shanghai

Taipei Hong Kong

Bangkok Ho Chi Minh

Introduction to China China is a vast country, a kaleidoscope of people, cultures, customs and landscapes. Although the present day Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Republic of China only dates back to 1949, records spanning 5000 years show that China has had a long economic and cultural history, with warring states unifying and dividing multiple times. However throughout its turbulent history this country has had periods of immense cultural learning, artistic creativity and religious and philosophical development. Importantly China also expanded early continental trade routes, with the Han Dynasty (207 BC - 220 AD) breaking ground for what would become the famous Silk Road trade route to India. Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture is considered to be the oldest living A Pedestrian Street in Chengdu

culture in the world. Her rich history of trade, arts and culture, combined with the diversity of ethnic groups and their individual food and customs, makes China one of the most interesting places on earth to visit. Travel through China and you will not only re-live its history, you will understand how this immense country was born from small tribal states with their own languages and lives, how it evolved through centuries of upheaval, unification, and then liberation in 1949, to become the People's Republic of China. From the immense modern city of Shanghai to the culturally rich Beijing, from the mountains in Xinjiang to the rice terraces of Guilin, China is a world in itself just waiting to be explored.

Wangjianglou Pagoda

Terracotta Warriors

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am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world." MARY ANNE RADMACHER

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Forbidden City, Beijing

CEO Welcome Welcome to Freedom Road Travel Free

& Easy,

As a 100% foreign owned travel company in China, we constantly strive to provide above and beyond international service standards through our intuitive and innovative approach. We believe it is important to make sure all of our customers feel like VIPs throughout their journey, whether they be travelling with family, friends or a new acquaintance they have met along the road. Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai are three of China’s most visited destinations, but they still hold much to be discovered. Go from hiking along the pristine Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, to learning local dishes in Beijing’s bustling markets. Or take a water cruise through Shanghai’s ancient water towns, before taking a tai chi class under expert tutelage. At Freedom Road Travel, we want to show you the real China that’s beyond the typical destinations. We look forward to seeing you on our intriguing Free & Easy tours. As an Australian who has lived in China for more than 20 years, I am still constantly surprised by this awesome country; by the stunning places you can visit and the amazing people you can share experiences with. There’s a variety of landscapes, cultural richness and history in China, more than what most of us would imagine, that’s just waiting to be uncovered. This is the goal of Freedom Road Travel - to share China and all its wonder with the rest of the world. This is my Freedom Road --- What’s Yours? David Keir

FREEDOM ROAD TRAVEL

翱行旅行

Shanghai at sunset

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Table of

CONTENTS BEIJING

12 SHANGHAI

XI'AN

14 LIJIANG

GUILIN& YANGSHUO

CHENGDU

7 24 25 26

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Our Travel Advisors Responsible Travel FRT Style Terms & Conditions

OUR Travel Advisors Justine Drake Justine left her hometown of Sydney, Australia, 11 years ago with her husband and two kids and after living in Singapore and Hong Kong the family moved to Shanghai 5 years ago. Following on from 2 years volunteering as President of the Australian Shanghai Association she then completed a contract at AustCham Shanghai, before recently joining the Freedom Road Travel Team. Justine’s passions are cooking, skiing, sailing and travelling off the beaten path.

Colleen Xu After graduating from a rigorous training program, Colleen was certified as a General Manager for International Travel by the China National Tourism Administration in 2000. With 28 years in the travel industry, it has led her from organising events with the Mayor of Los Angeles, United Nations World Travel Organisation Delegation, to the Vice President of Nestle Coffee. Full of passion and devotion, Colleen treats every guest's trip as her own to ensure a memorable lifetime experience.

Thierry Bornier The premiere landscape photographer in China, has had a breakout in his fame over the last 4 years being published in The Telegraph, Wired, and other world famous publications, including having been nominated as Landscape Photographer of the Year in China 2015. Frequently among the highest rated photographers on National Geographic’s ‘Photo of the Day’ page, always on the road, unique in style, Thierry’s eye defines the perspective and elegance of photography.

Teresa Sun Teresa has been working for travel companies over 6 years as a profession. She was an operator in Gullivers Travel Association which runs an international and domestic hotel business. After GTA, she worked as a Travel Consultant in the product department of AQUA Travel, with her main job being to research and organise special interest itineraries in China. Her major is Tourism Management from Hengyang Normal University. Teresa is China Tour Guide certified and is an expert in hotel business negotiations and domestic travelling. Aside from travelling extensively throughout China, Teresa has visited Tibet and Inner Mongolia.

Janny Chyn Janny Chyn is the founder of Shanghai Pathways, a platform that engages people to learn and understand the city through unique cultural activities “off the beaten track.” She is a writer for The Courier magazine and has been a guest speaker for schools and organizations. Janny also provides training and consultation service for corporate clients such as P&G, Ipsos and Google. Her current work has been featured in media outlets including Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, CNN go, Shanghai Morning Post, and Daily Secret.

Yangzi He Yangzi oversees special interest travel operations at Freedom Road Travel. He has a knack for making the optimal travel arrangements for clients with unique requirements, however unusual those may be. Yangzi has a passion for sampling the latest products on world’s leading airlines, and serves as our resident expert in airline and hotel loyalty programs. His previous career as a research scientist in biochemistry took him to the UK, Denmark, and the US for more than a decade combined. At Freedom Road Travel, he leverages his unique skill set to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Laura Gui Laura is a travel professional with over 10 years’ experience in inbound China tourism, including private trips, themed group tours, corporate travel and new product development. She leads our product development team in quality control and creating signature travel products with a unique combination of luxury, adventure, classic sightseeing and off the beaten path local knowledge. As a native of China, Laura has travelled extensively across this amazing country and takes pride in showing the best and most unique parts of China to the world.

Michael Zhou Michael has worked as a professional English guide for more than a decade in Yunnan and throughout China. His passion is to show his clients the melting pot of Yunnan’s vibrant minorities’ culture and landscape beauty that he sees every day. He enjoys a green, sustainable living lifestyle using alternative methods of transportation and energy. Michael ensures a top-level of quality and responsibility when travelling with his clients.

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wo roads diverged in a wood, and I â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." ROBERT FROST

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BEIJING PACKAGES

2 Nights and 1 Half-Day Tour Included

PREFFERED ACCOMODATION CROWNE PLAZA WANGFUJING

Package Price:

AUD 437/PP

RED WALL GARDEN HOTEL

Package Price:

PENTAHOTEL BEIJING

Package Price:

RAFFLES BEIJING

AUD 398/PP

REGENT BEIJING HOTEL

AUD 474/PP

Package Price:

AUD 546/PP

SHICHAHAI SHADOW ART HOTEL

AUD 501/PP

Package Price:

AUD 386/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR : Tiananmen, Forbidden City & Jingshan Park PACKAGE INCLUDES:

uilt in 1651, Tiananmen Square has a long history that intersects with many major moments in the country’s history. Just beyond Tiananmen Square is the Forbidden City, encircled by a breathtaking moat and full of stunning ancient architecture and artifacts.

• 2 nights accommodation with breakfast • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel

Stand in the central courtyard of the Forbidden City and you will see nothing but elegantly sloped buildings among a breathtaking landscape that looks more fantastic than anything a movie might recreate. Right behind Forbidden City is Jingshan Park, an artificial hill made with the soil dug out to make the moat. In the park, you’ll not only get great elevated views of the Forbidden City and Beijing, but also a great look into the lives of locals who go to the park every day to socialize, enjoy nature and above all else relax.

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The published price is per person, based on 2 people, twin sharing. The published prices are NOT valid for high seasons and public holidays. The prices stated can only be indicative and may be adjusted based on the travelling period and the number of travellers in your group. Please indicate your preferred travelling dates and number of travellers,we will be happy to provide you with the exact prices.

OPTIONAL HALF DAY CITY TOURS

ANCIENT BEIJING ACADEMICS

HUTONG TOUR

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN & LAMA TEMPLE

Explore the city’s ancient history of academics in old lecture halls, archery ranges, and tree-lined courtyards. Lama Temple, Confucius Temple and the Imperial Academy were iconic in shaping Beijing’s brainscape, and they each hold their own uniquely Chinese philosophy.

In Beijing’s old neighborhoods, traditional courtyard houses connected by narrow stone-paved alleyways have been transformed from residences to hubs of history and culture for visitors and locals alike. Enjoy markets, browse handicrafts, and learn some local history.

Temple of Heaven is a masterfully landscaped and ornately designed 15th century structure that embodies the same architecture of the Forbidden City. Lama Temple holds a Buddha (18m) from Tibet, carved from a single piece of white sandalwood.

Price: AUD 180/PP

Price: AUD 153/PP

Price: AUD 180/PP

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

CHUANDIXIA VILLAGE

GREAT WALL ONE DAY HIKE

Explore 14th century courtyard houses, sacred temples, and stone lanes from the Qing and Ming dynasties. Interact with some of the local villagers to learn about the historical enclave firsthand.

The Great Wall One Day Hike will give you an unprecedented journey along the untouched and untoured parts of the wall, all to yourself, as it gracefully snakes up and down hillsides that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Price: AUD 246/PP

Price: AUD 229/PP

MUTIANYU GREAT WALL & SUMMER PALACE See pristine parapets lining the ridges of sloping, forested hills that are crossed with deep blue streams. Then, visit the lakeside Summer Palace, a vacation house made for China's last empress.

Price: AUD 214/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

CHAOYANG ACROBATICS THEATRE SHOW At the Chaoyang Acrobatics Theatre Show, you’ll see jaw-dropping contortionists, lion dancing, fire eaters, and more than your fair share of circus acts, daredevil feats, and artistic acts that bridge the gap between the past and present.

Price: AUD 64/PP

MARKET TOUR & COOKING CLASS

NIGHT AT THE BEIJING OPERA

An expert chef and tour guide will take you on a fun and educational market tour of China’s unique ingredients and condiments. You’ll see and taste new flavors that you can to add to your own kitchen repertoire.

Beijing Opera combines elegant stylings with exaggerated expression and symbolic meaning through singing, action, dialogue, acrobatics, mime, and costume/makeup. It all makes for a very bright, and vivid audio-visual experience that will be hard to forget.

Price: AUD 102/PP

Price: AUD 64/PP China Free'n'Easy | 11

SHANGHAI PACKAGES PREFFERED ACCOMODATION 12 @HENGSHAN

Package Price:

FAIRMONT PEACE HOTEL

AUD 573/PP

PENINSULA HOTEL

Package Price:

AUD 585/PP

THE PULI

AUD 790/PP

2 Nights and 1 Half-Day Tour Included

PARK HOTEL

Package Price:

AUD 325/PP

THE LANGHAM

Package Price:

AUD 662/PP

Package Price:

AUD 688/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR : Best of Shanghai PACKAGE INCLUDES: • 2 nights accommodation with breakfast tart the morning with a walk on The • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide Bund, a popular waterfront surrounded who will take you from and to your hotel by stunning views of the modern skyline, soaring over one bank of the serene Huangpu River, and the old world Art Deco buildings standing at your back, curving with the bend of the river bank.

Then, take a tour through the Shanghai Museum, which has a collection of over 120,000 pieces of ancient Chinese art, ranging from bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, jades, paintings, minority and foreign art and so much more. Its halls even hold several works of rare, national importance, such as one of the three existing “transparent” bronze mirrors from the Han Dynasty. End the tour with some time spent exploring Yuyuan Garden and the Old Town area around it. Yuyuan Garden, dating back to 1559, is one of the restored features of Shanghai’s Old Town. The Garden, heavily influenced by classical Suzhou garden design, holds more than 40 traditional halls, towers, pagodas, and pavilions. Many are surrounded by jade ponds and lush trees, all connected by stone walkways cut through rock gardens and set above water.

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OPTIONAL HALF DAY CITY TOURS

HUANGPU CRUISE & BUND TOUR

LOST SHANGHAI CORNERS

CLASSIC FRENCH CONCESSION

See The Bund glitter in the Huangpu River as darkness falls and the lights turn on in Shanghai’s premier cultural district. When you’re back on The Bund, you can take a guided stroll through the waterfront’s cosmopolitan history.

On this unique walking tour, discover the storied past of Shanghai that’s tucked away in the city’s small streets and old neighborhoods. The guides are experts on Shanghai’s storied families and famous expats.

Get a vivid picture of a neighborhood that’s been changing since its old world villas were new world villas. Explore Art Deco apartments, boutique cafes on small main streets, and even smaller alleys where some have lived for generations.

Price: AUD 180/PP

Price: AUD 140/PP

Price: AUD 77/PP

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

TRANQUIL HANGZHOU

VENICE OF THE EAST

ZHUJIAJIAO & QIBAO

Find Hangzhou’s peace and quiet at a secluded Zen temple retreat full of pagodas and grottoes, a Longjing tea plantation, and the world famous West Lake, which has been admired for more than 2,000 years as a site of year-round beauty.

Suzhou, founded in 514 BC, earns the nickname “Venice of the East” with its meticulously laid and tended canals, gardens, stone bridges, and pagodas, all in traditional style, all amidst a modern jewel of a city.

Cruise through Shanghai’s ancient water towns, Zhujiajiao and Qibao, and enjoy the sound of softly splashing water as you glide beneath quiet, old stone bridges and wooden balconies. Then, taste and see the town's local culture on its historical streets.

Price: AUD 418/PP

Price: AUD 306/PP

Price: AUD 223/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

EXPERIENCE TAI CHI

VINTAGE SIDECAR TOUR

WET MARKET & COOKING CLASS

Zhang Yi has studied Chinese martial arts his whole life and now teaches out of his Wu Kung Fu Centre. Let his wealth of knowledge, experience and passion guide you through the ancient world of Chinese martial arts.

Discover Shanghai’s storied backroads and alleys from the sidecar of a purring vintage motorcycle. Just tell the driver what you’re interested in, or tell them to surprise you, and they’ll tailor the tour specifically to you.

Learn the fundamentals of Shanghainese flavors and ingredients, how to pick them and how to bargain for them. Then head to the kitchen for a hands-on workshop on Chinese cooking techniques and methodologies.

Price: AUD 191/PP

Price: AUD 242/PP

Price: AUD 89/PP China Free'n'Easy | 13

XI'AN PACKAGES

2 Nights and 1 Half-Day Tour Included

PREFFERED ACCOMODATION SOFITEL ON RENMIN SQUARE

Package Price:

SHERATON

AUD 366/PP

THE WESTIN

CROWNE PLAZA

Package Price:

AUD 358/PP

HILTON XI'AN

Package Price:

AUD 394/PP

ZUOYOU KE BOUTIQUE

Package Price:

AUD 379/PP

Package Price:

AUD 392/PP

Package Price:

AUD 367/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR : Terracotta Warriors & Big Wild Goose Pagoda PACKAGE INCLUDES:

ee one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds: an entire army, from foot soldiers to cavalry and generals, recreated 2,200 years ago as lifelike, life-sized and individually unique clay statues. The Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an still stand in a vast formation of more than 8,000 statues, waiting in their pits for the emperor they were buried with, who they were to follow into the afterlife. Instead, they just stand, astoundingly well preserved, spectacular to look at, even with their decayed paintjobs. Then explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China and an architectural marvel of cement-less brick construction that soars to 64 meters. It remains a holy place for Buddhists, since it’s history goes back to 652, and holds a great number of religious artifacts from India. The square around the pagoda is expansive and beautiful, making for a great sight and a great place for people to gather.

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• 2 nights accommodation with breakfast • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel

OPTIONAL HALF DAY CITY TOURS

CITY WALLS & MUSLIM XI'AN

CITY WALLS & HAN YANGLING MAUSOLEUM

Rent a bike and cruise along one of the world’s oldest, largest (14km long), and longest surviving ancient defense structures while enjoying spectacular city views. Then learn about the city’s Muslim population, revolving around the Muslim Quarter and Grand Mosque.

After the City Walls, explore the Han Yang Ling Mausoleum, where Emperor Jing and his Empress Wang were buried around 2,000 years ago. All the excessive riches and ritual they were buried with have been excellently preserved.

Price: AUD 80/PP

Price: AUD 116/PP

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

LONGMEN GROTTOES & SHAOLIN TEMPLE

HUASHAN NATIONAL PARK

Explore the treasure-filled cave network of the Longmen Grottoes. Its largest cave holds its tallest Buddha statue (17m), looking over the calm Luo River in stoic grace. Then visit the worldwide symbol of martial arts: the Shaolin Temple.

Cable car up to Mt. Hua’s stunning North Peak, then explore its four other main peaks, home to a number of temples, shrines and pavilions amidst sweeping yellow stone slopes draped with carpets of thick forest.

Price: AUD 355/PP

Price: AUD 300/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

MORNING MARKET & BREAKFAST TOUR Taste a Xi'an morning on this Morning Market & Breakfast Tour with an expert tour guide taking you through 5-6 authentic tasting locations while they give you a rundown of the unique Xi'an flavors and ingredients.

Price: AUD 77/PP

EVENING FOOD TOUR

SIDECAR TOUR - CRAFTSMEN

If the Morning Market & Breakfast Tour wasn’t enough for you, you can dive from there right into the Evening Food Tour. Ride in a private tuk-tuk to 4-5 authentic tasting locations, all while getting unlimited beer and soda.

Cruise along rural roads and through Xi’an’s beautiful plateau scenery. Your tour guide will introduce you to a master of paper-crafts and a traditional blacksmith who forges ancient weapons and farm tools, so you can learn a bit of their craft while he shares some history.

Price: AUD 89/PP

Price: AUD 286/PP China Free'n'Easy | 15

GUILIN & YANGSHUO PREFFERED ACCOMODATION SHERATON GUILIN

Package Price:

BRAVO HOTEL

AUD 428/PP

SHANGRILA

Package Price:

2 Nights and 1 Half-Day Tour Included

THE WHITE HOUSE HOTEL

AUD 351/PP

LIJIANG WATERFALL

Package Price: AUD 555/PP GUILIN SHUIYUEGE BOUTIQUE HOTEL BOUTIQUE

Package Price:

AUD 479/PP

Package Price:

AUD 402/PP

Package Price:

AUD 313/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR : Guilin Halfday PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• 2 nights accommodation with breakfast • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel

ake a guided tour through Guilin’s best city sights, from the luminous stalactites and reflecting waters of Reed Flute Cave to unique rock formations with panoramic city views.

The first stop of the tour is Fubo Hill, also called WaveSubduing Hill, which stands high and alone, one flat side over water and the other rounded side over land,

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like an overgrown monolith with a tearoom, shrines, Buddhist statues, and a cloister carved right into its sides. Next is a walk through the Reed Flute Cave, which is estimated to be 180 million years old. Then the tour ends with a panoramic city view at the top of Elephant Hill, a weathered rock formation that looks like an enormous elephant with one foot in the river.

OPTIONAL HALF DAY CITY TOURS

DAXU ANCIENT VILLAGE AND CROWN CAVE

YAO MOUNTAIN & TEA PLANTATION

Wander on stone paths through traditional courtyards and over arched stone bridges in Daxu Village, one of China’s best preserved ancient villages dating back to 200 AD. Then, explore the Crown Cave’s glowing, watery, and unforgettably beautiful depths.

From Mount Yao’s summit, the highest peak in all of Guilin, you can see the sun break through clouds and against mountains for miles. After the cable car ride down, see a tea plantation to learn what goes into every cup of Longjing or jasmine tea.

Price: AUD 193/PP

Price: AUD 129/PP

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

LONGJI RICE TERRACES

LI RIVER CRUISE

The Longji Rice Terraces embody a unique harmony between humans and nature, making for a magnificent sight of graceful, curving slivers of water, all coiled and stratified around verdant mountainsides, like shining scales on a green dragon’s back.

The Li River is a source of life and beauty that has left an indelible mark on ancient folklores. Hear its jade waters gently splash against the cruise ship as it winds through lush jungle and among soft, curvaceous mountains.

Price: AUD 306/PP

Price: AUD 273/PP

BAMBOO RAFT TO THE ANCIENT VILLAGE OF XINGPING Glide just over the Li River’s tranquil waters on an elegantly simple bamboo raft as soft green peaks pass high above you, until you float your way around the bend to the historic Xingping Ancient Village for lunch.

Price: AUD 446/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

YANGSHUO BIKE TRAILS

COOKING CLASS IN YANGSHUO

LI RIVER KAYAKING

With your hands on the handlebars, this might be the best adventure Yangshuo has to offer. Take a beautiful ride through of Yangshuo’s famous, paradisiacal bike trails as they wind along rivers, villages, mountains, past terraces, plains, and much more.

Take a tour of Yangshuo market to learn the local flavors and ingredients. Then learn five local dishes either in a traditional farmhouse, right out in the beautiful countryside, or right on the scenic Li River.

Tour the Li River’s bends and banks as you follow the current to Liugong Village. Idle in the sun, before a breathtaking vista, or cool off with a swim. Take your time, because the cold beer or snack in Liugong will wait for your arrival.

Price: AUD 77/PP

Price: AUD 56/PP

Price: AUD 64/PP

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LIJIANG PACKAGES PREFFERED ACCOMODATION LIJIANG LIMAN WENZHI NO.1 HOTEL

Package Price:

AUD 403/PP

BANYAN TREE

Package Price:

INTERCONTINENTAL

Package Price:

INDIGO

AUD 551/PP

THE BIVOU

AUD 673/PP

2 Nights and 1 Half-Day Tour Included

Package Price:

AUD 577/PP

LUX TEA HORSE ROAD LIJIANG

Package Price:

AUD 444/PP

Package Price:

AUD 487/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR (OPTION 1): Lijiang Old Town and Black Dragon Pool PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• 2 nights accommodation with breakfast • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel

njoy this grand tour of Lijiang’s best sights, from Mufu Mansion, Lijiang’s ‘Forbidden City’, to the clear waters of Black Dragon Pool Park. As you take in these sights and more, learn about the historic Naxi and Dongba cultures.

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All excursions include private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel.

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR (OPTION 2): Baisha Village

Go deep into Baisha Village’s culture and history on this tour. The Baisha murals, which took 300 years to finish, are a stunning fusion of Naxi, Han, and Tibetan culture that are not to be missed. Then, learn about traditional Chinese medicine from Dr. Ho.

All excursions include private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel.

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

JADE SNOW DRAGON MOUNTAIN & BELOW

TIGER LEAPING GORGE

Witness the surreal Spruce Meadow, a clearing of turquoise water with magnificent mountain and valley views at 3000m altitude. Admire Baisha Village’s murals, painted over 1,000 years ago, blending Tibetan, Han, and Naxi culture.

Lose yourself in Tiger Leaping Gorge—the “Grand Canyon of Yunnan”—with its twisting teal river that snakes between verdant terraced mountain sides, decked with an abundance of misty waterfalls and beautiful vistas.

Price: AUD 245/PP

Price: AUD 204/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

NAXI MUSIC PERFORMANCE Cap off a Lijiang evening with a traditional show of Taoist temple music inside a beautiful old town building. Hear songs from the Han, Song and Tang dynasties in their original forms and with their original instruments.

Price: AUD 117/PP China Free'n'Easy | 19

CHENGDU PACKAGES PREFFERED ACCOMODATION BUDDHA ZEN HOTEL

Package Price:

THE HOTEL ZEN URBAN RESORT

AUD 374/PP

SHANGRILA

Package Price:

AUD 464/PP

Package Price:

SOFITEL

AUD 362/PP

THE TEMPLE HOUSE

2 Nights and 1 Half-Day Tour Included

Package Price:

AUD 367/PP

Package Price:

AUD 367/PP

SHERATON

AUD 644/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR : Panda Breeding Centre PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• 2 nights accommodation with breakfast • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel

our a panda breeding center with a professional panda keeper who will show you the adult and baby pandas while teaching you about panda health, behavior, mating habits, and of course how to properly handle them.

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OPTIONAL HALF DAY CITY TOURS

HALF DAY CITY TOUR - OPTION 1

HALF DAY CITY TOUR - OPTION 2

WALKING TOUR + TEA TASTING

First, visit the thousand-year-old Qingyang Palace, and admire its Eight Trigrams Pavilion, built without nails or wedges. Then visit the home and museum of Du Fu, a famous Tang Dynasty poet.

Explore Chengdu’s oldest temples and streets, from the Wuhou Temple, built during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), to Old Jinli Street, dating back to 221BC as the city’s commercial hub and the place to buy ornate fabrics.

Take a guided tour through Chengdu’s most bold, modern buildings. Then explore the historic KuanZhai Lane before relaxing in People’s Park at Heming Tea House, a beautiful, open air tea house in classical Chinese style.

Price: AUD 158/PP

Price: AUD 156/PP

Price: AUD 99/PP

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA Take in the colossal Leshan Giant Buddha, carved out of a riverside cliff almost two thousand years ago. It sits 71-metres high, nestled in an overgrown nook, casting a red stone stoic expression over tranquil waters.

BIFENG GORGE: TREKKING & PANDAS The Bifeng Gorge is filled with beautiful forest, waterfalls, a beautiful river snaking through it all, well-maintained paths all along the way, and pandas. Visit a panda reserve that’s home to more than 20 giant pandas.

Price: AUD 227/PP

HIKING & HUANGLONGXI Stretch your legs while treating your eyes with a scenic 1-hour hike to Chen Jia Xiang Village. After enjoying a homemade lunch and the company of local villagers, head to Huanglongxi Ancient Town.

Price: AUD 238/PP

Price: AUD 179/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

COOKING HISTORY CLASS

CHENGDU EVENING FOOD TOUR

This unique cooking class will not only give you hands-on learning experience on how to mix your own Sichuan-Tibetan flavors and dishes, but also a rich, personal story-driven history of China from your instructor, born in 1950s China.

This gastro tour takes you through Chengdu’s local, family-owned flavors via private tuktuk with an experienced guide. The tour also includes unlimited beer and drinks.

Price: AUD 77/PP

Price: AUD 89/PP China Free'n'Easy | 21

A Delicious Peking Duck Meal

Rafting against the landscapes of Guilin

Wuhou Temple in Chengdu

RESPONSIBLE Travel The Summer Palace in Beijing

aintaining integrity and upholding principles of sustainable development is core to our travel company ethos and to us. Our values are ingrained in the culture of our business and in the design of our private and group tours. The people, their customs and the local environments at each destination are all considered when planning itineraries and conducting tours. Freedom Road Travel expects the same level of standards from all our travel partners across China. Our mission statement â&#x20AC;&#x153;to make the world a better place by enabling wonderful experiencesâ&#x20AC;? extends to everyone in the Freedom Road Travel environment; our clients (before, during and after travel), our staff, travel partners and, importantly, the people and destinations we visit.

Yuyuan Garden at Night

Here at Freedom Road Travel we support local communities and businesses by engaging local tour guides, businesses and experts wherever possible, contributing to local employment as well as ensuring our travellers gain a true insight into the local lives, customs and values of the places they visit. We ask all visitors to respect the different cultures and customs, to be aware of the environment, and to take the time to try the foods or locals goods unique to the area. Our travel tours are, by design, low impact on the environment due to keeping groups smaller allowing us to focus on providing an immersive experience with small vehicles and local accommodation. Freedom Road Travel strongly believes in giving back to the communities that we are a part of. We are proud to be a platinum sponsor of the Australian Shanghai Association, a volunteer organisation that raises funds and resources for those in need in Shanghai and rural areas of China. For details go to www.australian-shanghai-association.org

22 | China Free'n'Easy

WHAT MAKES US Different? Landscape of the Li River

We really listen to you when we ask: “What is your Freedom Road?”

t Freedom Road Travel, we take pride in our experiential approach to travel. We understand that every one of our clients is different. They are each on a unique journey, have their own preferences, and set their own goals for travel. We are passionate about travel and sharing the best experiences from our own adventures. This is why we put our personal touches into the journeys we tailor for our clients.

Whether you are travelling in a group, as a family or on your own, we respect your preferences and objectives. We listen to our customers and make sure all their needs are catered for, and everyone is treated as a VIP. Our respect for the ‘individual’ extends to the amazing places we go and people we meet along the way, each being an important element of your journey. Freedom Road Travel focuses on making each day a new exciting experience, be it a guide explaining the history and customs, a chef presenting the regional specialty, or a local craftsman showing his trade.

Wild Goose Pagoda China Free'n'Easy | 23

Giant Buddha of Leshan

ravel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world."

GUSTAVE FLAUBERT

24 | China Free'n'Easy

A GUIDE to cuisines around China

or those who haven’t taken a holiday to China, it can be easy to fall into the trap of believing that Chinese cuisine is as we’ve experienced it at home: beef & black bean, kung pao chicken, spring rolls, and prawn crackers served up in plastic Tupperware containers when you’re feeling too lazy to cook. In truth, Chinese cuisine is as diverse as the people who call this sprawling country home. The food you sample is influenced not only by the people who prepare it and their cultural background but also by the ingredients and cooking techniques that are prevalent in the area. While it would be impossible to catalogue the width and breadth of Chinese cuisine, below we’ve highlighted a few of the most distinctive and interesting. CANTONESE For many people, Cantonese cuisine comes closest to what they’re familiar with. True Cantonese cuisine takes into account the region’s importance as a trade port, with meats both traditional and non-traditional being a big part of the region’s palette. If you want to try snake, chicken’s feet or frog – Cantonese food is for you.

of food), congee, and roast meats are popular examples of Cantonese cuisine. The popular ‘yum cha’ method of dining – to eat many small dishes while drinking tea - originates here. Cantonese cuisine is widespread in China but has its roots in southern cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen. SICHUAN Famed for its tongue-numbing peppercorn and spicy flavours, Sichuan (sometimes known as Szechuan cuisine) is rich in ginger, peppers, and bold flavours. It is here that well-known dishes such as Kung Pao chicken, Sichuan hotpot, twice-cooked pork, and mapo tofu can be experienced as they were intended. Not for the faint of heart, the intense flavours of Sichuan cuisine are almost at odds with the serenity of the province that is home to adorable pandas and beautiful national parks. HUNAN Like Sichuan cuisine, Hunan’s cuisine is famed for its fiery heat and intensity but prides itself on being ‘truly hot’ with a dry heat rather than the contrasting flavours of Sichuan’s foods.

Stir fries, dim sum (small, bite-sized portions China Free'n'Easy | 25

Terms & Conditions Freedom Road Travel Ltd (FRT) is committed to taking great care of our guests, our agents, our suppliers, our service providers and our wonderful staff. It is really important that you take the time to read and understand the following general conditions of booking and travelling with FRT. Whilst the following are general important terms and conditions, there will be more detailed information outlined in your travel confirmation documents, giving the kind of experience you are booking with FRT. Please read the FRT Trip Summary relating to your travel prior to booking with FRT to ensure that you understand the itinerary and the style of trip you are undertaking. Thank you!

OUR CONTRACT For all bookings made with FRT, travel confirmation documents will be issued and you are deemed to have read and agreed to the Booking Conditions (which constitutes the entire agreement between you and FRT), and your booking will be accepted by FRT on this basis. Any detailed services or specific terms and conditions to be provided will be referred to in your confirmation documents. VALIDITY Dates, itineraries and prices are valid from 01 January 2017 until 31 December 2017. Beyond 31 December 2017 dates, itineraries and prices are indicative only. ACCEPTANCE OF BOOKING AND PAYMENTS You will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of USD$50 per person per trip for your booking to be confirmed. Upon accepting your booking, FRT will issue a confirmation document; a contract will then exist between both parties, from the date the invoice is issued. Please refer to your booking confirmation document for details regarding the payment schedule, terms and conditions. YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS In order for FRT to confirm your travel arrangements you must provide all required details at the time of deposit payment. Necessary details include full name as per passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport issue and expiry date and any pre-existing medical conditions you have which may affect your ability to complete your travel arrangements. Your booking will only be confirmed with provision of these details. CANCELLATION BY THE TRAVELLER If you cancel some or all portions of your booking, cancellation fees could or will apply. For a cancellation notice to be effective it must be received in writing by FRT to then confirm. Unless otherwise indicated to you by your respective travel consultant, after confirmation by FRT, if you cancel a portion or all of your travel, the terms and conditions in the confirmation documents will apply. Some general aspects that apply to all confirmed bookings include: • If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced, FRT are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. • If you fail to join a tour, join it after departure, 26 | China Free'n'Easy

or leave it prior to its completion, no refund can be made. FRT strongly recommends that you take out appropriate travel insurance at the time of booking to cover cancellation fees. The cancellation fees, in addition to any FRT fees, may also be levied by accommodation providers, travel agents, or third party tour, transport operators or other service providers. CANCELLATION BY FRT FRT may cancel a trip at any time up to 60 days before departure. FRT may cancel a trip at any time prior to departure if, due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events, it is not viable for FRT to operate the planned itinerary. If FRT cancel your trip, you can transfer amounts paid to an alternate departure date or alternatively receive a full refund. In circumstances where the cancellation is due to external events outside our reasonable control, refunds will be less any unrecoverable costs. FRT are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess, excess baggage or non-refundable flights. Please note that different cancellation conditions may apply to some styles of trips, your booking consultant will advise if differences apply. BOOKING AMENDMENTS If you wish to make any changes to your confirmed booking or transfer your booking to a third party you must notify FRT at least 30 days prior to the proposed departure date. Any changes may incur fees from hotels, ground operators, airlines or other providers. Transfers to a third party are only permitted where the transferee meets all the requirements in relation to the trip, and transfers to another departure can only be made to a departure within the current validity period. CONSULAR ADVICE Prior to making your booking, FRT highly recommends that you review information provided by the Foreign Affairs Bureau of your nationality. FRT strongly suggests that you familiarize yourself with the latest Government Consular advice and information. INCLUSIONS The land price as outlined in the travel confirmation document as applicable & listed to your trip summary includes accommodation, transport, sightseeing, meals and services of a group leader (for groups of 9 or more). EXCLUSIONS The land price of your trip does not include: • International or internal flights unless specified • Airport, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified • Meals other than those specified in the Trip Summary • Visa and passport fees • Travel insurance • Tips & Gratuities • Some drinks and all alcoholic beverages

• Optional activities and all personal expenses PRICES & SURCHARGES Our trip prices are subject to the variable and seasonal pricing of FRT’s providers, which are standard practice within the travel industry. FRT reserve the right to adjust pricing up to 60 days before departure due to changes in exchange rates, increases in airfares or other transportation costs, increases in local operator costs, taxes, or if government action should require FRT to do so. If any surcharge results in an increase of more than 10% of the trip price (prior to 60 days prior to departure) you may cancel the booking within 14 days of notification of the surcharge and obtain a full refund. HOTEL DESCRPTIONS, MAPS & PICTURES Hotel descriptions featured in this brochure are based on current hotel guides provided by suppliers and contractual agreements. Any facilities described are subject to change at any time. Maps and photographs are included for general information only and may not necessarily reflect actual routings, locations or services. FRT have made reasonable enquiries to verify that the descriptions and details are accurate. AGE & HEALTH REQUIREMENTS All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the care of travellers under the age of 18. Please be aware that most tour programs are focused on aspects that are of interest to adults and there is no or little access to any childcare or support facilities, so this is why generally most non-student FRT tour programs are not suitable to families with children younger than 12 years of age. Whilst FRTs tour programs seek to be accommodating to as many interested persons as possible, travellers over the age of 18 cannot participate on any non-student tour programs on a ‘willing to share’ basis. Guests under the age of 18 must be either accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. If unable, they must pay a single supplement. For children aged 12 - 17, it needs to be noted there are no discounts off the published price. Any triple share needs must be requested in advance of confirmation, but are subject to availability of the accommodation providers. Interconnecting or adjacent rooms for single share can be requested prior to confirmation, but cannot be guaranteed. Maximum General Policy: For the majority of our trips FRT have no upper age limit though FRT remind you that our trips can be physically demanding and passengers must ensure that they are suitably fit to allow full participation. FRT are able to provide details on mandatory health requirements; however, FRT are not medical experts. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least two months prior to travel for the latest health requirements and recommendations for your

Terms & Conditions destination. TAXES As certain taxes are mandatory in various countries or provinces, there may also be additional local taxes charged at some airports. All taxes included in the current pricing are subject to change without notice. CHANGE OF ITINERARY While FRT endeavors to operate all trips as described, FRT reserves the right to change the trip itinerary, if necessary. Please refer to our website before departure for the most recent updates to your itinerary. If FRT make a major change (only if necessary) FRT will inform you as soon as is reasonably possible. The definition of a major change is deemed to be a change affecting at least one day in five days of the itinerary. FRT reserves the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or events outside of its control. In such emergency circumstances additional costs may be necessary. Please note FRT is not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itinerary such as visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. AUTHORITY ON TOUR For any FRT group tours, these are run by the appointed group leader. The decision of the group leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any person participating in the trip. If a participant fails to comply with a decision made by a group leader, or interferes with the well-being or mobility of the group, the group leader may request the individual to leave the trip immediately, with no right of refund. All participants must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited, and you also agree to travel in accordance with our responsible travel guidelines. ACCEPTANCE OF RISK You acknowledge that the nature of the trip may involve strenuous activity and participation involves a degree of personal risk. You may be visiting places where the political, cultural and geographical attributes present dangers and physical challenges greater than those present in our daily lives. FRT uses information from government foreign departments and reports from our own contacts in assessing whether the itinerary should operate. However it is also your own responsibility to acquaint yourself with all possible relevant travel information and the nature of your itinerary. You acknowledge that your decision to travel is made in light of consideration of this information and you accept that you are aware of the personal risks attendant upon such travel. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FRT contract with a network of companies, government agencies and individuals to assist in the running of our trips as agent for these third parties. FRT are not responsible for the acts and omissions of these third parties. To the fullest

extent permitted by law: • Any liability for any loss, death, injury or damage which you may suffer (directly or indirectly) in connection with or arising out of your participation in a trip, or any breach of the Booking Conditions. • You release FRT and our officers, employees, agents and representatives from any liability and expressly waive any claims you may have against FRT arising out of or in connection with your participation in a trip. • Any condition or warranty which would otherwise be implied by law into these Booking Conditions (Implied Warranty), is excluded. To the extent an Implied Warranty cannot be. PASSPORT AND VISAS You must carry a valid passport and have obtained all of the appropriate visas, permits and certificates for the countries in which you will visit during your trip. Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the duration of the trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas, permits and certificates for your trip; please refer to the Trip Summary for details. FRT are not responsible if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct passport, visa or other travel documentation. TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance is compulsory for all our travelers and should be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of USD$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. FRT also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. Your insurance details must be supplied to FRT at the time of booking. If you fail to provide the requested insurance information prior to travel as well as on arrival during registration, FRT reserves the right, acting in our sole discretion, to cancel bookings and apply charges as per our cancellation policy. If you obtain travel insurance through FRT you acknowledge that you are satisfied with the level of insurance FRT have arranged. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Optional activities not included in the trip price do not form part of the trip or this contract. You accept that any assistance given by your group leader or local representative in arranging optional activities does not render FRT liable for them in any way. The contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider. CLAIMS & COMPLAINTS If you have a complaint about your trip, please inform your group leader or our local representative at the time, in order that they can attempt to rectify the matter. If satisfaction is not reached through these means, then any further complaint should be put in writing to FRT within 48 hours of the end of the tour, and sent to FRT at contactus@freedomroadtravel.com.

SEVERABILITY In the event that any term or condition contained in these Booking Conditions is unenforceable or void by operation of law, or as being against public policy or for any other reason, than such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this contract or amended accordingly, only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining terms and conditions to survive and continue as binding. PHOTOS AND MARKETING Should you consent to FRT using images of you taken during the trip, these may be used for advertising and promotional purposes in any medium FRT choose. You grant FRT a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable license to use such images for publicity and promotional purposes. PRIVACY POLICY Any personal information that FRT collect about you may be used for any purpose associated with the operation of a trip, or to send you marketing material in relation to our events and special offers. The information may be disclosed to our agents, service providers or other suppliers to enable FRT to operate the trip. FRT will otherwise treat your details in accordance with our privacy policy (available for viewing on our website). APPLICABLE LAW The laws of Commonwealth of Australia governs these Booking Conditions to the fullest extent allowable. Any disputes in connection with a trip or these Booking Conditions must be initiated in the courts of Australia. UPDATING OF TERMS & CONDITIONS The Company reserves the right to update and/ or alter these terms and conditions at any time, and it is the clients responsibility to be familiar with them. The latest terms and conditions can always be found on the Company website www. freedomroadtravel.com and will supersede any previous versions. BROCHURE FRT has exercised reasonable care to ensure that the contents of the brochures are correct, accurate and up-to-date at the time of printing. Please note that the contents of the brochures are based on information supplied to FRT by third-party suppliers and FRT does not have, and cannot be reasonably expected to have, personal knowledge about all of the facilities or services provided by each supplier; and facilities or services may change after the date of printing. Prior to making a booking, you should ask your travel consultant about any changes to the published information of which FRT may be aware. Excluded, our liability in respect of the Implied Warranty is limited to (in our absolute discretion): (I) the provision of a similar trip to an equivalent value; or (ii) a refund of the total amount received by FRT from you in connection with your booking. Any claim by you is excluded to the extent that it is for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profits or economic loss, however it arises, or for indirect, special, punitive or exemplary damages. China Free'n'Easy | 27

Mutianyu section of The Great Wall

FREEDOM ROAD TRAVEL

翱行旅行

SHANGHAI Suite C3, 10/F JuneYao Plaza 789 Zhaojiabang Road Xuhui District 200032 P.R China. Toll Free: 4008 219 156 International Calls: +86 21 6091 2468

BRISBANE 324 Queen Street Brisbane, QLD, 4000 International Calls: +61 1800 219 156

SYDNEY Level 2, 50 York Street, Sydney, NSW Australia 2000. For Booking Enquires International Calls: E: enquiry@freedomroadtravel.com + 61 2 8028 4000